Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Lincoln discusses his qualified support for Black voting, then dresses to accompany Mary to the theater.

Scene 98 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Lincoln
James Ashley
Schuyler Colfax
John Nicolay
William Slade

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 2:01 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 98

In the final winter of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln risks a fragile coalition and the chance of an early peace to force an amendment abolishing slavery through a divided House of Representatives.

Scenes 1–7
The reelected president balances military command, popular affection and a household wounded by grief.
Scenes 8–13
Lincoln needs a durable constitutional abolition measure and commits to passing it before the term ends.
Scenes 14–16
Radical allies and discreet patronage operatives join the campaign as the amendment enters House debate.
Scenes 17–84
Lincoln bargains, delays peace commissioners, confronts family costs and defends the vote against postponement.
Scenes 85–90
The House passes the amendment and the victory enters the private lives of Lincoln and Stevens.
Just before
Scene 95
Lincoln asks Grant for mercy toward the defeated South; Grant tells him he must lead the nation out of war.
Scene 96
After Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Grant and Union officers remove their hats in a gesture of respect.
Scene 97
On a spring buggy ride, Lincoln and Mary imagine travel and resolve to try to be happier.
Scene 98
This scene

98INT. LINCOLN'S OFFICE - EVENING

Lincoln's in the shirtsleeves and vest of his formal evening wear, his hair brushed down and plastered in place. William Slade is working the tie and gloves. James Ashley and Schuyler Colfax stand with him, holding glasses of scotch whiskey. Slade waits with Lincoln's coat, clothes brush, the stovepipe hat and gloves on the table.

John Hay tears down several of the military maps, heavily marked, from the bookcases where they're tacked. He drops these on the floor. As they watch Hay:

LINCOLN

I did say some colored men, the

intelligent, the educated, and

veterans, I qualified it.

JAMES ASHLEY

Mr. Stevens is furious, he wants to

know why you qualified it -

SCHUYLER COLFAX

No one heard the intelligent or the

educated part. All they heard was

the first time any president has

ever made mention of Negro voting.

LINCOLN

Still, I wish I'd mentioned it in a

better speech.

JAMES ASHLEY

Mr. Stevens also wants to know why

you didn't make a better speech.

They laugh. There's a knock on the door; Nicolay enters.

JOHN NICOLAY

(TO LINCOLN:)

Mrs. Lincoln's waiting in the

carriage. She wants me to remind

you of the hour, and that you'll

have to pick up Miss Harris and

Major Rathbone.

Lincoln nods. Slade enters with Lincoln's hat, coat, and gloves. Lincoln begins to dress hurriedly.

LINCOLN

Am I in trouble?

WILLIAM SLADE

No, sir.

LINCOLN

Thank you, Mr. Slade.

Slade hands Lincoln his gloves as Colfax and Ashley drain